North East Branch
The 2013 North-East Branch Dinner was held in the plush rooms of the Northumberland Golf Club, Gosforth Park.
Present: G.C. Robson (FN 57-64, Acting Chairman), J. Davies (Headmaster), N.A. Halfpenny (FN 62-67, Bursar), W.E. Dove (FN 57-60, Sec. of the NE Branch), T. George (Head Boy), Miss J. Thompson (Head Girl), Miss A. Taylor (Deputy Head), G.E.R. Heslop (SH 41-43), J.F. Bullock (FN 44-48), W.B. Jameson (FN 46-51), F.O. Messenger (SH 50-55), I.D. Nimmo (FN 52-57), S.J. Edwards (FN 52-57),W.M.H. Dix (FN 55-58), A.M. Carstairs (FN 57-52), J.M. McBryde (G 58-61), G.M. Burn (G 58-61), J. Musgrove (SH 60-63), G.L. Spencer (G 61-64), D. Davies (FS 62-68/Retired Staff/Fundraising Coordinator), Mrs F.E. Lord (Retired staff), D.F. Lord (SH 60-65/Retired Staff/OSB Sec & Treasurer), D.H. Williams (FN 61-64), Mrs H. Miller (Retired Staff), M.P. Windle (FS 68-71), Mrs R.V. Lewis (L 77-79), R.T. Fowler (FN 77-80), D.J. Pitchford (G 95-02), D. Busby (SH 95-02), P.J. Drysdale (SH 95- 02), A. Murray (SH 97-03), B. Wilson (SH 97-04), R.I. Littler (SH 98-05), K.A. Marshall (SH 98-05), J.R.A. Woodhouse (SH 99-02), I. Moore (SH 04-11), D. Rhodes (SH 04-11), A. Littler (SH 04-11), R. Carlill (SH 05-11).
After assembling in the bar, Branch members and guests moved into the dining room and took their places around four tables. George Robson explained that in the enforced absence of the Chairman Mark Cottam, he had agreed to be acting Chairman for the evening.
A period of silence was held in respect of the deaths of past Branch members Peter Hopley and John Bell.
Following Grace, the meal commenced and after the Loyal Toast a ten minute break was announced.
After this the acting Chairman welcomed the large contingent from the school, Old St Beghians visiting from other parts of the country, the usual group of The Pitchford Boys - twelve this year - and the Branch members.
He pointed out that this year was the fortieth Dinner that Secretary Bill had organised and, following prolonged applause, said that whilst Bill was soon to move out of the area he was willing to continue as Branch Secretary, travelling up to Newcastle for the Dinners. Mention was also made that the school and the Branch officers were to mark Bill’s impressive work with a special event, details to be announced in due course.
Nigel Halfpenny (FN 62-67) - School Bursar,
Julieanne Tompson (Head Girl) and
David Lord (SH 60-65) - Secretary & Treasurer
of St Beghian Society.
(Photo from Malcolm Dix - FN 55-58)The acting Chairman then made an impassioned appeal for everyone present to submit to the editor of The St Beghian an article relating either to their schooldays or his/her life since leaving school. Dr. Anthony Reeve was doing a wonderful task in editing the Bulletins and he deserved not only appreciation but support. All present were given a card with contact details and urged to ‘get writing’.
Head Girl Miss Julieanne Thompson rose to propose a toast to the school. She spoke of the wonderful years she had spent at St Bees and how, as an American, she had come to love our country and its traditions. In July 2014 she would be finding it very hard to return to America but would be carrying with her many happy experiences and memories.
The Headmaster replied by lavishing praise on the Branch, which he said was impressively organised, vibrant and welcoming. He said that St Bees still continued to attract a goodly number of its pupils from the North East. Indeed the school was currently increasing the numbers of its pupils substantially and was very active in recruitment from areas as far away as Russia and Nigeria. The Headmaster then spoke of other positive developments.
Head Boy Thomas George rose and eloquently proposed a toast to the Society. He told us he is the grandson of retired master David Lyall and had for many years lived within St Bees village. Both the village and the school were dear to his heart. He recognised that the Society was a huge boon to St Bees School and had been for very many years. He was impressed with all he had seen and heard at the dinner (indeed all at the dinner were impressed with him - GR).
Current Bursar and old boy Nigel Halfpenny spoke in reply to the toast. He echoed much of what the Head Boy had said and thanked the Branch members for their continued interest in and support of the school.
The acting Chairman announced that when the term of office of Chairman Mark Cottam expired, the Branch Chairman for 2014-2017 would be former past President of the Society Don Williams.
All present then retired to the lounge for further reminiscing. At around 11p.m. a series of taxis carried off The Pitchford Boys, who werebound for the nightlife in and around the city’s Quayside.
All others set off for their homes and beds!
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The St Beghian Society, St Bees School,
St Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0DS.
Tel: (01946) 828093 Email: osb@st-bees-school.co.uk
Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk